This handbook provides a basis for checking the range of quality factors that can be judged by on-the-spot examination. When barley is being received at the silo or the malt-house, it is impractical and unnecessary to use the range of precise laboratory methods devised for quality testing, although these can be used to decide about border-line samples or to resolve disputes. Instead, an approximate indication of many quality factors can be obtained by visual examination to determine: (a) the variety, to make sure that the load is binned with other barley of a compatible quality type; (b) the extent of damage to grains, as an indication of how satisfactory the grain will be for the particular use for which it is offered; (c) the degree of contamination with foreign seeds, to determine the purity of the barley, the expense involved in cleaning it and its suitability for use as human or animal food depending on the toxicity of the contaminants. In addition to these three aspects of quality, there are other factors such as test weight and protein content that can be measured on receival of grain, but they are beyond the scope of this book.

Barley is one of the world's most important crops with uses ranging from food and feed production, malting and brewing to its use as a model organism in molecular research. The demand and uses of barley continue to grow and there is a need for an up-to-date comprehensive reference that looks at all aspects of the barley crop from taxonomy and morphology through to end use. Barley will fill this increasing void. Barley will stand as a must have reference for anyone researching, growing, or utilizing this important crop.

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